The coalition agreement concluded by the CDU (Christian Democratic Union), the CSU (Christian Social Union) and the FDP (Free Democratic Party) following the recent federal elections contains several taxation measures which are planned for the near future.
One such measure is the German Inheritance and Gift Tax Act (Erbschaftsteuer- und Schenkungsteuergesetz, ErbStG), which was subject to major amendments effective as of 01.01.2009 and is to be amended again in regard to Continue →

In early October, the Finance Court of Cologne published its decision of 7 July 2009 regarding the lawfulness of short-term tax audits.
In the case under consideration, the taxpayer was classified as a “large” firm based on its profit and turnover. The local tax authority chose the plaintiff for a tax audit that would cover only the year 2007. The plaintiff appealed against the order asking for a preliminary injunction (vorläufiger Rechtsschutz) against the conduct of the tax audit. Continue →